International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Impact Factor (2012): 3.358
Improved Rapid Sand Filter for Performance
Enhancement
Ranjeet Sabale1, Sahil Mujawar2
1
Assistant Professor, Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil College of Engg., Satara, India
2
Assistant Professor, Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil College of Engg., Satara, India
Abstract: Filtration is process in which water is purified by passing through sand media. In India rapid sand filters are used
conventionally for filtration. Sand media having characteristics as effective size (E.S. – 0.35-0.60mm), uniformity coefficient (U.C. - 1.3-
1.7), specific gravity- 2.67, limiting head loss- 1.8-3.0m, depth of sand- 60cm, depth of gravel support-40 cm, etc. The advantages of
rapid sand filter are easy operation, less space requirement, more filtration rate, more output and easy backwashing. Along with some
advantages there are some drawbacks in rapid sand filter. Due to improper backwashing mud ball formation is a major problem shown
in filter media. At the time of backwashing process stratification of sand media takes place. Sand grains having small size come at top
layer. It reduces porosity at top layer which results in maximum removal at top layer. Therefore head loss increases in shorter run time
which affects filtration process. To overcome these problems researchers have tried for capping of rapid sand filter. Capping is process
in which upper sand bed layer of few cm is replaced with capping material. Some materials suitable for capping are anthracite coal,
PVC granules, Polypropylene bids, and bituminous coal etc. In the present work conventional rapid sand filter and capped rapid sand
filter are compared.
Keywords: Rapid sand filtration, capping of filters, PVC granules
1. Introduction 2. Methodology
Granular filtration is the process whereby water is purified 2.1 Methodology adopted for filtration work
by passing it through a porous material. In rapid filtration In this work, two pilot filter columns are installed one is
sand is commonly used as the filter medium but the process conventional rapid sand filters and other is Capped rapid
is quite different from slow sand filtration. This is so sand filter. Conventional filter has sand as filtration media
because much coarser sand is used with an effective grain and gravel as supporting media. In Capped filter,
size in the range 0.35-0.60 mm, and the filtration rate is modification is done in the form of capping of PVC
between 5 and15 m/h. Due to the coarser sand used, the granules. Different filter runs are taken by using PVC
pores of the filter bed are relatively large and the impurities granules as capping material. Depth of capping media is kept
contained in the raw water penetrate deep into the filter bed. as 3 cm and 5cm. Initial raw water turbidity is kept in 25
Thus, the capacity of the filter bed to store deposited NTU. Alum dose is 15 mg/l. Filter runs are taken with two
impurities is much more effectively utilized and even very different filtration rates 5.4m/hr and 7.2 m/hr.
turbid river water can be treated with rapid filtration.
Cleaning of rapid filters is done by backwashing. This 2.2 Material for capping
involves air wash followed by water wash for certain time..
Rapid sand filters are filters of conventional type, used
widely in treatment plants all over the world. In India most
of the water treatment plants use rapid sand filter for water
treatment. The advantage of rapid sand filter is that it is easy
to maintain and can be operated for high water demand with
less area. Along with some advantages there are some drawbacks
in rapid sand filter. Stratification of sand layers at time of
backwash, mud ball formation, rapid increase in headloss, less
throughput volume, low effluent quality these problems are related
to rapid sand filters. In developed countries to overcome such
problem engineers tried techniques such as rapid sand filter
capping with capping materials as anthracite coal. Anthracite Figure 1: PVC Granules
coal is costly and not easily available in India. So cheaper Sizerange – 2 to 4mm
materials like PVC granules, crushed coconut shell, bitumen Specific gravity- 1.2
coal, fiber mat and synthetic nylon fibers are [Link]
paper focuses on a cheaper and easily available capping Filtration work is carried out by using capping of PVC
material for better operation of rapid sand filtration. So in granules. Capping is done with two different depth namely
these work PVC granules are used to check its suitability. 3cm and [Link] three different filtration rates run is taken
and head loss and turbidity removal variation is measured.
Volume 3 Issue 10, October 2014
[Link]
Paper ID: OCT14416 1031
Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY
International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Impact Factor (2012): 3.358
3. Experimental Study [Link] rate- 5.4m/hr
3.1 Experimental Set up PVC granule capping depth -3cm
Design of experimental set up is as per basic design of rapid
sand filtration. As per the literature review the design for
set-up is done. For set-up two filter column required. One is
of regular rapid sand filter and another is modified rapid
sand filter. Filter column of acrylic material having 10 cm
diameter and 2 meter in length was selected. For filter
column the depth of sand media and depth of base material
is provided as used in conventional rapid sand filter i.e. 60
cm sand bed and 40 cm respectively. For modified filter
sand depth is selected based on defined configuration. The
head loss port and sampling port are drilled exactly opposite
for easy working. The port is drilled at 15 cm distance apart
from each other. There is provision to collect sample at
different time and depth. For collection of sample five
sample ports are provided. Also there is arrangement is
made to measure head loss at different time and depth. For
that purpose head loss measuring tube that is level tube is
connected to filter column. Head loss measuring tubes has
height of approximately 3 m.
Filter columns are installed with the help of stand on flat
surface and the plumbing connections are made by APVC
pipes as shown in figure. The two overhead tanks of 30 liters
are provided, one is having turbid sample and another is
clear water for backwashing. The 50 liters of a tank is placed
near set-up in which turbid sample is to be made which is
pumped in overhead tank with the help of 0.5 HP pump. The Run2. Flow rate- 7.2m/hr
overflow outlet is provided to maintain constant head. The
filter column top is closed by removable acrylic cap having PVC granule capping depth - 3cm.
two holes for one inlet and another for vent pipe.
Figure 2: Experimental set up
3.2 Comparison of Performance of conventional and
modified rapid sand filters.
Comparative study of filters is done for different parameters
like turbidity removal, head loss development, filter run
length. Following graph shows performance of both filters
under same working conditions.
Volume 3 Issue 10, October 2014
[Link]
Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY
Paper ID: OCT14416 1032
International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Impact Factor (2012): 3.358
Run 3. Flow rate- 5.4m/hr. filtration work. PVC granules have less specific gravity
PVC granule capping depth - 5cm, compared to sand and so larger particles remains on top after
backwashing it also provides larger depth for filtration and
improves performance by removing larger suspended
particles at initial stage. Due to porous nature maximum
throughput volume can be achieved and also run length is
increased.
Filtration efficiency of capped filter is about 95% while that
of conventional filter is about 89%. Run length of capped
filter is about 2 to 2.5 times more than that of conventional
filter. Backwashing is done more effectively in capped filter
than conventional filter. So reduction in back wash water
requirement is observed up to 35%.
5. Conclusions
1) Capping proves an efficient technique for improving
performance of rapid sand filters in terms of head loss
development, filter run length and turbidity removal
efficiency.
2) Capping with PVC granules with 3cm depth gives
turbidity removal up to 92% while Capping with 5cm
depth gives turbidity removal up to 96%.
3) Filter run length of capped rapid sand filter increases up
to 2 to 2.5 times than that of conventional rapid sand
filter.
4) Backwash water requirement for capped rapid sand filter
Run4. Flow rate-7.2m/hr is about 40% that of conventional rapid sand filter i.e.
PVC granule capping depth - 5cm. back wash water requirement is reduced by 60%.
6. Future Scope
1) TO find alternate capping media to PVC granules.
2) To perform chemical analysis of PVC granules.
3) Detail backwash study for capped rapid sand filter.
References
[1] Nelson O. Fred, (1969), “Capping Sand Filters” Journal of
American Water Works Association, Vol. 61, No. 10 , pp. 539-
540
[2] Nashikkar J.T, Dr. Bhole A. G., R. Paramsivam (1976)
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[3] Dhabadgaonkar S. M. (2004) “Rehabilitation of conventional
rapid sand filters with defunct rate controllers in to variable
head declining rate filters “Journal of Indian water works
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[4] Rajapakse, J.P (2005) “Properties of Hand-made Clay Balls
used as a Novel Filter Media”. Science and Engineering
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[5] Al-Rawi Sati M. and Kahtan A. Al-Najjar (2009) “
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“International Journal of Water Resources and Environmental
4. Result and Discussions Engineering Vol.1 (2), pg. 020-026
[6] Al-Rawi S.M., (2009), “Introducing sand filter capping for
From graphs obtained from performance of pilot filter turbidity removal for potable water treatment plants of
columns, it is observed that as filtration rate affects length of Mosul/Iraq”, International Journal of Water Resources and
Environmental, Vol. 1(1), pp.011-019.
filter run resulting in shorter filter run length. Filtration
[7] Culp Gordon L. and Culp Russell L., “New concepts in water
efficiency mainly depends on porosity of media used for purification”, VanNostrand Reinhold company.
Volume 3 Issue 10, October 2014
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Paper ID: OCT14416 1033